Something has to give in Anaheim soon
Posted 10:07 AM ET | Comments 9
With the recent signing of UFA Brendan Morrison and Anaheim Ducks at par with the salary cap, something is going to have to give, or rather, someone is going to be shipped out of the "Sunny State". All speculation leads to their blueline, with over 22 million dollars invested, all eyes are pointing to former all star defenseman Mathieu Schneider. Several teams are in need of a puck moving defenseman who can also quarterback the powerplay. This will lead us to speculation of which team will be enticed to take his 5.6 million dollar contract, while giving up a later round draft pick, which is rumoured to be the asking price for him.
The Ottawa Senators GM, Bryan Murray, has been given heat from local media, for not going after any "big names" on July 1st. After losing Wade Redden to free agency, perhaps Schneider would be a good fit on the defense corps in Ottawa. He is no stranger to a Canadian team, being drafted by the Montreal Canadiens, so he knows all about Canadian hockey already. Could Mathieu's veteran leadership fill the void that Jason Smith left in Philadelphia after his departure to free agency? Also Buffalo Sabres loss a lot in the backend, when they had to trade expected to be unrestricted free agent Brian Campbell to the Sharks.
With all these teams looking for help on defense, with how scarce puck moving defensemen are becoming in this league, there will be a trade. The question is not who will be giving up more of Schneider, yet who is willing to take on the final year of his hefty contract. You never know, it might be a win for the team that lands him, 39 points in 65 games while maintaining a +22 are no stats to laugh at. This is done on a team with superstar defensemen Chris Pronger and Scott Neidermayer logging a ton of minutes.
With that said, we all know that come October, Mathieu Schneider will not be wearing Duck silks, time will tell where he will end up.
Filed Under: Anaheim Schneider Ottawa Montreal Buffalo Philadelphia
The Ottawa Senators GM, Bryan Murray, has been given heat from local media, for not going after any "big names" on July 1st. After losing Wade Redden to free agency, perhaps Schneider would be a good fit on the defense corps in Ottawa. He is no stranger to a Canadian team, being drafted by the Montreal Canadiens, so he knows all about Canadian hockey already. Could Mathieu's veteran leadership fill the void that Jason Smith left in Philadelphia after his departure to free agency? Also Buffalo Sabres loss a lot in the backend, when they had to trade expected to be unrestricted free agent Brian Campbell to the Sharks.
With all these teams looking for help on defense, with how scarce puck moving defensemen are becoming in this league, there will be a trade. The question is not who will be giving up more of Schneider, yet who is willing to take on the final year of his hefty contract. You never know, it might be a win for the team that lands him, 39 points in 65 games while maintaining a +22 are no stats to laugh at. This is done on a team with superstar defensemen Chris Pronger and Scott Neidermayer logging a ton of minutes.
With that said, we all know that come October, Mathieu Schneider will not be wearing Duck silks, time will tell where he will end up.
Filed Under: Anaheim Schneider Ottawa Montreal Buffalo Philadelphia
The main issue will be who wants to tke on his contract. To date it doesn't appear teams are lining up.
Nice blog! The Ducks desperation will become even more apparent when (or if) Teemu Selanne returns. I used to think it would be difficult to move Schneider's contract but hell, Rob Blake is getting $5 mil from the Sharks and Schneider is way better offensively. I wouldn't be surprised if he moved a little north up the I-5. The Kings are under the cap floor right now and a Mathieu Schneider homecoming might generate some goodwill for the fans and solve the cap problem.
Thanks! Yes that could be a a possibily, I see a win win there, they need salary to hit the floor, as well, he could be a great veteran presence for Drew Doughty and the rest of the young defense. I also believe their will be a goaltender swap with LA and another team that has an aging veteran goalie with only a year or two left of salary. Bernier is on the rise, just not ready to handle it alone yet, he could use a mentor himself. Possibilites are Chicago who have 11 million tied up with Khabibulin and Huet, and of course Edmonton with Roloson's 1 year left. It will get interesting in the next month or two, cross Ottawa off the list for Schneider, gut feeling, they are done for now.
You're right about Ottawa now that they've signed Smith. I too think there will be a Khabibulin sighting at Staples Center before the season starts. The Ducks are still short a top 6 wing though if Selanne doesn't return. How about a Schneider for Penner trade! He can be moved now that he is in his second year!!!!
We dont need anymore d with Souray, Vishnovski, Gilbert, Staois, Smid and Grebshkov...we have about 2 or three dman prospects waiting to make the team too
Aneheim is over the cap so they will likely move Schneider to a team like Ottawa who needs a offensive Dman..........they still need to get a body back but their are some FA still out there that can fill the 5 or 6 th spot
Schneider would be a good fit for the Senators. It probably wouldn't take more than a 3rd round pick.
What about Anaheim going after Jason Williams, descent top 9 forward.
I'd take Williams. Better than the mid-season crap Burke found last season with Bochenski, Mowers, and Sutherby.